Nature Coast

Moving into March creates new opportunities for inshore anglers along

the Big Bend. Snook are legal to keep this month and next. Most of the

snook I’ve caught have been on the edge of the outside keys along with

the trout and redfish. Most all the inshore big three trout, reds and

snook are on the points, creek mouths and submerged rock piles on high

water. The exposed rocks on low water will collect the sun’s heat and

as the tide rise’s game fish will move in and use this structure to

feed on the crabs, shrimp and baitfish that the tide allows them to

move in and feed. Some of the deeper creeks and swashes have some

pompano. This year I have not had a lot of luck with them but one or

two can make some fun in the boat and a fine dinner at the house.

The nearshore rocks are holding our pelagic fish like spanish

mackerel, blue fish and possible early cobia.I like to target the

structure with live shrimp on a light jig head for the most action.

White grunts, sheepshead and mangrove snapper will hit this bait but

the mackerel and blue fish will be on the same structure but in the

upper water column. Expect some cut offs and to handle that ( jig

heads aren’t cheap ) go with a long shank Eagle Claw 1/0 hook. The

long shank will act as a wire leader without spooking the fish. I run

the hook 1/3rd of the way from the tail of the shrimp and turn it out

of the shrimp underside. Free lining the bait with the moving tide

will get the bite. Incoming tide this weekend will be late morning.